A BOXING club whose home had fallen into disrepair has bounced back off the ropes after a £20,000 cash injection.

The building housing the Porthcawl and Pyle Pumas on New Road, Porthcawl, has gone so long without a sprucing that boxers were training around buckets catching rain falling through the roof.

The club’s single shower didn’t work and the young boxers cramming into the tiny gym could often be seen skipping on the pavement outside during sessions.

But better times are in the offing after Porthcawl Town Council awarded the popular club – which has around 250 members – £20,000.

Head coach Aubrey Lewis said the cash boost means the club can finally start their long awaited refurbishments – starting with the leaky roof.

“This is a dream come true,” he said. “All the boxers and myself are over the moon about it.

“We have struggled and struggled for so long and this is the boost we have needed for such a long time.”

Roofers visited the club this week, with patching work expected to begin in the coming weeks.

After the application for funding was made to Porthcawl Town Council, a five-strong delegation, led by Mayor Councillor Barbara Stubbs, visited the club last week.

“We were quite taken aback by the awfulness of the building,” said Coun Stubbs. “There was rain water coming through the roof and it was almost at the stage where it needed to be taken down – it was terrible.

“I hope this grant will help a club that is encouraging skills and talent in our youngsters here – not only sporting skills but also teaching them respect and to listen to their instructors as well.”

The £20,000 is the biggest boost to date towards the club’s ultimate fundraising target of £75,000.

It adds to the thousands raised by former Welsh rugby captain Jonathan Humprheys this year.

The club has also entered the Nat West Community Force to try and secure more funding and is making a plea for votes.